NAEC hosted visiting actor Lara Jean Chorostecki on September 23 and 24, prior to the school trip to Stratford, and on October 2, after the trip. She led the students in several drama-based activities, focusing on “Anne Frank” and Shakespeare’s language, as well as the use of voice and body in drama.

The visit was part of a program called “Teaching Shakespeare” which is run by the Education Department at Stratford. In order to receive funding towards a student trip to Stratford, and to arrange for a visiting actor, teachers are required to attend a “Teaching Shakespeare” conference for three days in August. There were about 60 teachers, in total. Ms. Allan and Ms. Randle attended from NAEC, and received materials and ideas that they could use in a classroom.

Many actors who are in productions at Stratford worked alongside the teachers in a variety of workshops. Lara Jean Chorostecki was one of the participating actors in the “Teaching Shakespeare” conference, and was paired up with NAEC. Although she got her start in Stratford, at the age of 17, she is now in movies and on television. Her most recent series was “X-Company” on CBC this year – now available on Netflix. A second season is planned for early 2016. She was also on the very popular “Hannibal”, which is also available on Netflix. For more information on Ms. Chorostecki, visit: http://www.larajeanchorostecki.com/about/

Students in grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 participated in the workshops, and enjoyed the experience very much. Allya Garey, who is a big fan of “X-Company”, presented a thank-you card to Ms. Chorostecki on her last day at NAEC.

The students of North Addington Education Centre will be suiting up in their Campbell's Soup costumes on October 31 and knocking on your door! They will be asking for non-perishable food items for the local food bank, which is experiencing a shortage of food.

About 10 secondary students will be spreading out between Flinton, Northbrook, and Cloyne to hwlp the food bank instead of tricking or treating for candy. The students are not strangers to supporting the community who supports them.

This is the fifth year for the very successful event. We're asking community members to contribute what they can. We will be having three to four students canvassing each community between approximately 5 and 8pm. They will be wearing NAEC ID tags and a very large smile. We are going to visit as many households as possible, but if you have contributions and the food is not picked up, please call Candice Bovard throughout the week at 613-336-8991 and we will pick it up.

On behalf of students and staff, the principal, Angela Salmond, would like to thank the community for their contributions to our food drive efforts over the years. "We would not be able to organize events like this without the support of our generous community. Thank you for investing in our children, and helping to show them what really matters."

If you see students in the community and they are “trick or eating”, feel free to ask them to sing or dance for your donation; they are prepared to work for your generosity!

It was a chilly day for the hundreds of wannabee wolves at Land O'Lakes Public School in Mountain Grove on October 1. Students from five northern area schools in grades one through eight gathered there to participate in the annual Timber Wolf Run, an event that was founded close to a decade and a half ago by former LOLPS teacher, Brian Robertson. For the last five years LOLPS grade one teacher, Jen Meulenaar, has been heading up the event with the help of staff at the school. The run is aimed at getting students from northern area schools together for a fun day of outdoor racing and is a great way for students to kick off the cross-country running season.

Participants included students from Land O'Lakes, Granite Ridge, North Addington, Prince Charles and Clarendon Central. The races included competitive runs of 1km, 1.8km and 2.5 km as well as a non-competitive one kilometre walk/run for students not wishing to compete. The competitive race winners took home medals and ribbons. Though the race is not an official qualifier for other upcoming regional racing events, it is a good practice event for those students who were hoping to qualify at the Region 3 qualifier race, which took place at Fort Henry in Kingston on October 6 in advance of the district finals.

Prior to the run at LOLPS, the students warmed up in the school gym before heading out to the starting line and running on the nearby trails, which took them through the woods surrounding the school. School principal, Emily Yanch, said the event is an annual tradition and a great opportunity for northern area students to get together. The participants not only got loads of exercise and fresh air but also enjoyed the opportunity to cheer one another on. Congratulations to all of the runners who took part.

Students at the Granite Ridge Education Centre (GREC) in Sharbot Lake celebrated the 35-year anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope by doubling their donations at this year’s annual run, which took place at the school on September 30.

The run, now in its third year, was preceded the week before by a visit to the school from Ms. Ng-A-Mann, who brought with her a replica of Terry's prosthetic leg. This inspired the students to “double the dream” of Terry's wish to have every Canadian donate $1 to cancer research.

Cathy Reynolds, an educational assistant at the school, headed up the event, which began in the school’s back courtyard where two young cancer survivors who attend GREC, grade three student Kylie Babcock and grade six student Dylan Walker, helped to show their fellow students how their donations can make a difference. Dylan spoke fondly about Terry Fox, whom he called one of his “super heroes” and who he said “has shown how every single person can make a difference.”

The two students were invited to draw the winning tickets for two prizes, the first a Terry Fox Foundation t-shirt and the second, two free passes to the Museum of History in Ottawa and special Terry Fox display there. School mascot Grif the Gryphon, Vice-principal James MacDonald and Reynolds joined the two students and spoke about the Marathon of Hope National School Day Run, a fundraiser that takes place in schools across Canada. Over $675 million has been raised in Fox's name for cancer research, 84% of which has gone directly to cancer research.

These kinds of events always have their special moments and one young student said that she would be donating her toonie, probably the following day once she receives the funds from the tooth fairy. Vice-principal McDonald said the event underlines the character traits that Terry Fox possessed, and which the students at the school are encouraged to emulate. They include grit, perseverance, humility empathy and determination. “Terry was all of that wrapped into one”, Reynolds said.

Following the assembly the students set off on the walk/run, which took them on a route around the school and village. By the end of the day over $600 was raised for cancer research.

Granite Ridge students in Mr. McVety's grade 12 history class headed up a meeting of the federal candidates on October 5 in preparation for the school’s participation in the 2015 Student Vote program.

The program, which began in 2003, offers parallel election events for students under the voting age, and this year it coincides with the federal election. The program gives students an opportunity to experience the voting process and encourages the habits of informed and engaged citizenship in young students across the country. The student vote will take place on October 14, and it is interesting to note that during the last federal election, the student vote results closely mirrored the final election results.

In preparation for the Monday meeting at GREC, McVety's grade 12 history students prepared a school survey asking students to rank various issues from most to least important and the surveyed students were also invited to put forth questions to the candidates.

The main issues resulting from the survey were: health care, which ranked first, followed by education and employment, and last on the list were issues of security and safety.

All four federal candidates in the riding of Lanark Frontenac Kingston: Scott Reid, Conservative; Anita Payne, Green Party; John Fenik NDP; and Phil Archambault, Liberal, took part in the meeting and a total of seven questions, including ones on affordable post-secondary education; improving health care and unemployment; the protection of the environment; terrorism; as well as the use of recreational and medicinal marijuana, were covered.

I spoke to grade 12 students, Sadie Clarke and Emily Brooks, who helped organize the event and asked them following the meeting if the candidates’ responses had swayed their initial leanings. Clarke who said she, like her parents, was leaning towards Fenik and the NDP party said that she felt that Fenik answered the questions to her satisfaction and she will be voting for him. “I think John Fenik spoke really well and really managed to connect well with the students. Instead of just focusing on a lot of facts, he tried to focus more on our futures and what we as student are facing.”

Both Brooks and Clarke said that they came away confused by Conservative candidate Scott Reid's response to the question, put forth by grade 12 student Taylor Meeks concerning the candidate’s position on the use of recreational and medicinal marijuana. “The Conservative (Scott Reid) seemed to be disagreeing with his own party and I found that kind of confusing,” Clarke said, and Brooks agreed. At the meeting Reid stated that while he personally agrees with legalizing marijuana, his party does not. Brooks said that while she doesn't tend to pay much attention to politics prior to the Student Vote program, she does like a chance to meet the candidates in person and to hear their responses to the questions posed. She said she liked Fenik’s response to the question put forth by grade 11 student Corri-Lyn, who asked, “What is your party doing to make post-secondary education more affordable for students?” Fenik said that his party will be making more grants as well as interest-free loans available to those wanting to attend post-secondary schooling. Brooks said that that issue is important to her because “post-secondary education is the next step for me in my life.”

Regarding their predictions for the outcome of the student vote, Brooks said though she is personally leaning towards the NDP, she thinks that the Liberal and Conservative candidates seemed to be ahead at the school prior to the meeting. Clarke said she feels confident that either the Liberal or NDP candidates would come out on top. “Both the Liberal and NDP candidates seemed more friendly and interactive with the audience whereas the Conservative and Green Party candidates just stated a lot of facts and the audience seemed more quiet when they were speaking”, she said.

The results of the 2015 Student Vote will be tallied up and announced on the CBC News on Election Day.

In her opening remarks at Granite Ridge's 2015 graduation and commencement ceremony on June 25, Principal Heather Highet praised this year's grads for showing G.R.I.T., especially during times of adversity. “By G.R.I.T. I mean your Growth mindset; Respect for yourselves, others and the environment; your Integrity and Trustworthiness,” she said. She also credited them with resiliency and perseverance, which they developed throughout the reconstruction of the school, saying it would serve them well throughout life. “You have overcome many challenges, and the skills and habits you have developed over the these past four years will support you for the rest of your lives.”

Highet left the graduates with three messages to consider as they enter this phase in their lives. “Be open to opportunities, new learning and ideas and to the opinions of others. Seek out knowledge and understanding and take risks and responsibility for your actions and beliefs; and be open to discovering who you are, what you stand for and who you want to be.”

Elizabeth Steele-Drew headed up the evening's program, which included an address by newly elected school trustee, Karen McGregor.

Following the formal speeches, the more than 40 graduates received their diplomas, and numerous special awards were handed out thanks to the generosity of many individuals, groups and organizations wanting to lend a helping hand to these fresh-faced young adults as they enter a new world and pursue their future endeavors.

This year's valedictorian was Jacob (Jake) Watson. He was introduced by Mr. Leonard, who credited Jake with a fine mind, a great sense of humour, and a way with words.

Watson plans to study journalism at Trent University in Peterborough and Mr. Leonard stated that Jake's compassion and conviction would no doubt take him to interesting places in the world of journalism.

When Jake took the podium, he recalled the good times at school with friends and staff and remembered entering the school a bit nervous and “at the bottom of the food chain”. He delighted his fellow grads and staff with his moving and funny account of their years together and his words made for a positive and moving wrap up to the event. Following the ceremony the class gathered for a final photo, after which the new grads and guests gathered in the school's main foyer to cap off the evening with a celebratory cake and refreshments.

by Wilma Kenny and Jeff Green

Ah, the modern world

Holly Thompson started her valedictory address at Sydenham High School last Thursday afternoon, June 25, by asking her fellow classmates to refrain from checking or posting on their twitter and instragram feeds, but then, humorously flipping her hair for effect, she said, “But before you shut off your phones, feel free take a video of me and post parts of this speech on Vine.”

She then started her speech in earnest, touching on many of the experiences of the class of '15 at SHS over their four years, from the antics of staff members, the academic and athletic focus of the school, and mostly the feeling of togetherness that SHS is known for, which starts with the commitment and heart of the school's staff.

“Now I’m sure you can all agree with me when I say this, whether a teacher, an administrator, an EA, a custodian, or essentially any staff of Sydenham High, no matter the obstacle, someone is always there for you. Everyone and everything is there for you.”

Although the Class of '15 has been through events as diverse as a lockdown and a victory at the Capital Bowl, the school’s #Samstrong efforts for class-mate, Sam Eastman, who is battling cancer, are something that she is particularly proud of.

She concluded her speech with some words to her fellow class mates that were important for them to hear, particulary as the entire SHS community struggles to cope with the events of the past two weeks, which hover like a thick cloud of fog over the school and the local community.

“You’re something important. Something meaningful. Something worthwhile. You are a person with the ability to make change, save lives, live to the fullest. Take nothing for granted. This life is one big adventure, so take it. And let others take theirs as well. Make good decisions—decisions that you can live with. You don't have to be a dentist or a lawyer, skinny or rich to be happy. Just be you, and be a 'you' that leaves the world a little brighter.”

The stepped concrete wall below the recent addition to Sydenham High has been transformed, thanks to the work of Darryl Silver of Silverbrook Garden Centre, just west of Sydenham. Soon after our article about the wall was published in the Frontenac News (May 14), Silver was approached by a school board representative who asked him to submit a tender for the job. He inspected the wall and researched wild parsnip before he tendered.

Once his bid was accepted Silver went to work wearing full protective gear including heavy rubber gloves. Working through what’s already the busiest time of year for a garden centre, Silver dug on the wall mornings and evenings to first get rid of the parsnip. He removed two and a half truckloads of the plants; “Some, especially on the north part of the wall, had already grown over a metre tall, and their thick tap roots were almost as long,” he said. Fortunately the weed had not yet blossomed or set seed so Silver piled it on his own property to compost down.

After that his summer employee, Kallista Smith, joined the work. She had only one slight brush with parsnip, but still has the scars to show for it.

Silver found that in some places there was more gravel than soil, and although a lot of good nursery stock was uncovered during the clean-out, very little thought had apparently gone into the actual placement of the plant material. He has filled in the bare spots with hardy perennials, and added groupings of celosia in the school colours for touches of brightness. Fortunately, his contract includes ongoing upkeep of the wall, for fresh weeds will soon sprout from the disturbed soil.

“I was amazed by the numbers of people who stopped and commented,” Silver said; “one man even offered to volunteer. People were so delighted with the results that it made my job feel worthwhile. The village really does have a lot of community spirit.”

Ottawa Valley-based singer songwriter Craig Cardiff not is only a gifted performer but he also has a unique ability to encourage and inspire youngsters. The singer/songwriter was invited to perform and hold workshops at Land O'Lakes Public School on June 23 by Kathy Bateman, the student support teacher at the school. The event was made possible thanks in part to a grant the school received from Blue Skies in the Community, whose mandate is to bring music appreciation and opportunities to students in North and Central Frontenac.

Cardiff, who performs regularly across Canada and the United States, engaged the students by showing them how they too can write their own songs. “I remember as a youngster being inspired by musicians who visited my school and my goal with this workshop and performance is to help inspire students; to get them to write a song so they can realize that it's not hard and to hopefully spark a musical interest in them”, he said when I interviewed him as he was setting up his gear in the school gym. Cardiff, who has been playing since he was very young, began by performing a number of his own original songs, tunes like “Safe Here” and “Love is Louder”.

At just 38 years old he has 20 albums under his belt and he easily captured the attention of the appreciative audience. First he spoke about what inspires his own lyrics and next he taught them the choruses of his tunes, inviting them to raise their hands and sway in time to the music as they sang.

Next he invited a student, five-year-old Keegan to the stage, who helped Cardiff write a song about the latter's love for trucks and cars, which included lyrics like, “I love jacking up trucks and taking the tires off, installing roll bars”, and another that told of how “monster truck drivers are safely strapped in under six seat belts”.

Cardiff invited a second student, five-year-old Keeley to the stage and together they composed a song on a topic close to her heart - princesses. The song included lyrics offered up by Keeley, one line about Bambi, the prince of the forest, and another about Cinderella's two very rude sisters.

Between the songs the students had a chance to question Cardiff and he answered a wide range of questions with “Yes, I like cheese and no, I am not rich,” though he did mention that his craft does pay the bills and feed his family.

He answered many more questions on the topic of music, including what inspires him, who his favorite singer is (Paul Simon), and his thoughts about fame and when and how he got started. To wrap up the performance and prior to working one on one with the students, Cardiff sang a medley of some of his favorite tunes from Paul Simon's Graceland.

The students were no doubt inspired by Cardiff's performance and you can bet that many family members were treated to a few original compositions before the day was out. For more information and to sample some of Craig's music visit his website at www.craigcardiff.com.

Two recent grants from the Limestone Learning Foundation (LLF) have resulted in some interesting projects that have been completed by students at Harrowsmith Public School.

Thanks to one of the grants, students in Ms. Vogelzang's grade six class recently held an exhibition of the wooden waterfowl they created for a special project. The students researched and studied various species of waterfowl using SMART Ideas and each produced a finished piece of text that they published in a format of their choice. The students also designed and made the wooden waterfowl using rasps. They painted them and also painted wetland scenes as backdrops to their creations.

Upon completion of the project, parents and families of the students were invited to a special exhibition of their work at the school on June 22.

The second project involved students from Ms. Thayer's and Jane Ranson's grade 4/5 classes, who recently completed a project using 22 new iPads the school acquired through a separate grant from the Limestone Learning Foundation.

The project, in which the students designed a virtual resort for the Harrowsmith area, also covered specific curriculum requirements including Social Studies, Science, Math, French, and English. The students, who worked in groups, first used Google Earth to find an actual location for their resort and explained why it was suitable.

Next they used Survey Monkey to develop surveys to collect data about what people wanted at a resort, and based on that information they further developed the resort's plans, creating maps, posters and pamphlets to explain its special features and services.

Thayer said that to meet the needs of the special learners in the two classes, the teachers applied for the grant to acquire the iPads in an effort to make the project more accessible to all of the students in the class. “The iPads are very visual and have different apps that allow the students to tailor the work to their own special talents and needs. For example the iPad has a voice-to-text app that allows students who may be less skilled at reading and writing to create a higher quality work, which they might otherwise not be able to produce. They also give the students appropriate choices when they are searching for resources on the web.”

Grade five students Andrew Johnston and Kate Livie each completed a project and showed me their finished work. Andrew made a presentation about a virtual resort called the MUG Hotel, in which he and his group created a video presentation using green screen technology. Kate likes to use the scratch app on the iPad to create her very own video games.

When not hovering over their new iPads, students and staff at HPS also know how to have a good time on a hot sunny June day. The held an annual Water Fun Day on June 19 that involved over 150 students at the school, with the older grade 4/5 students taking the lead and organizing and running a number of water-based activities for the younger students at the school.